trademarked.uk

Trademark classes · By business type

Which trademark classes does an online marketplace need?

Most online marketplaces register in class 35 (Advertising & retail) and class 42 (Technology & IT services).

A marketplace earns its protection in two places: the business class for the service of connecting buyers and sellers, and the technology class for the platform itself. A downloadable app and in-app payments add the electronics and finance classes.

Last reviewed June 2026

Before you file in class 35, make sure the name is free. If it's already taken, your application can be refused — and the £205 IPO fee isn't refunded. Checking takes seconds and costs nothing.

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The classes online marketplaces usually register in

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Frequently asked questions

What trademark class is an online marketplace in?
Most online marketplaces register in classes 35 and 42. Class 35 covers advertising & retail; Class 42 covers technology & it services. You only ever register the classes that match what you actually sell.
Do online marketplaces need to register in more than one class?
Often, yes. A trademark is only protected in the classes you register, and you pay a fee for each one. Many online marketplaces file in classes 35 and 42 together, then add others as the business grows.
How much does it cost an online marketplace to register a trademark?
Filing direct with the UK IPO costs £205 for the first class and £60 for each additional class, so an online marketplace covering classes 35 and 42 pays about £265. The fee isn't refunded if your mark is refused — which is why checking the name is free first matters. See the full cost breakdown.

Check your name before you file

A trademark only protects you in the classes you register — and only if the name's free to begin with. Search the UK and EU registers in seconds. Free, no sign-up.

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These are the classes online marketplaces most commonly register, not a full legal specification — when you file, you list the exact goods or services you need. This is general information, not legal advice. See also our guide toregistering a UK trademark, orbrowse other business types.